Trauma = An event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful, or life-threatening, and has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being (SAMHSA, 2024).

This image shows some of the effects of trauma that your patients/clients may experience.  These effects can influence your daily work with them in these ways:

• Patient's motivation to come to appointments

• Patient's trust in treatment provider

• Patient's communication during appointments

• Patient's relationships with people in their lives who may support their treatment plans

• Patient's activities of daily living (ADLs), including completing home care instructions

Re-traumatization = A situation, attitude, interaction or environment that replicates the events or dynamics of the original trauma and triggers the overwhelming feelings and reactions associated with them

Treatment activities may trigger trauma and may also influence treatment outcomes. The chart to the left shows examples of how systems, such as health care, may re-traumatize people. It also illustrates how personal relationships can do this too.

When individuals re-experience trauma, it can come in many forms, including:

• Flashbacks

• Nightmares

• Intrusive thoughts

• Sudden emotional and/or physical flooding

These negative experiences replicate the original trauma for the individual and may cause additional psychological harm (Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care, 2021).